Air-feed device for carburetors



D 1965 J; A. ERBSTOESSER 3,224,174

AIR-FEED DEVICE FOR CARBURETQRS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 29, 1962 2J14. Eris iaesser INVENTOR flfz onzqys.

D 1955 J; A. ERBSTOESSER 3,224,174

AIR-FEED DEVICE FOR CARBURETORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 29, 1962 IAfffisz oesser INVENTOR.

2 4414 f/QZ/wv 7 United States Patent 3,224,174 AIR-FEED DEVHCE FURCARBURETORS James A. Erbstoesser, (Ihieago, 111., assignor of one-thirdto Stevens, Lehrer & Stevens, and one-third to isadore M. Bernstein,both of Chicago, Ill.

Filed Nov. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 241,068 2 Claims. (Cl. 55-418) Thisinvention relates to the air intake tubes of carburetors, and moreparticularly to the means for treating the air entering therein.Usually, an accessory called an air cleaner is mounted on the air intaketube to serve as the means referred to; and the main function of thisaccessory is to check the passage of dust particles and foreign matterinto the intake tube. Some air cleaners employ screens for this purpose,others and oil content, and still others both of these facilities.However, the conventional air cleaner contains tortuous or deepundulating passages in its annular region, where atmospheric air entersfor travel toward the central region of the air cleaner, so that suchtravel extends in opposite directions before the air reaches that regionfor passage into the air intake tube of the carburetor. Since aircleaners are one foot or larger in diameter, it follows that theirperipheral walls and internal partitions present a considerable surfaceresistance to the air currents drawn through the air cleaner, causingmore fuel to be drawn into the carburetor than is necessary for theefficient operation of the engine. This condition also creates carbondeposits in the engine cylinders.

In view of the above condition, it is one object of the presentinvention to replace the conventional air cleaner with an air-feeddevice which eliminates narrow or undulating passages presentingresistance to the travel of the air toward the air intake tube of thecarburetor.

A further object is to provide an air feed device formed with an outerchamber which receives atmospheric air in a spacious entrance and leadsit with a direct circular motion into the center region of the devicefor communication with the air intake tube.

Another object is to form the device with a receiving chamber having anopening in front when the device is installed in a motor car, suchopening being in the direct path of forced air currents from the enginefan.

An additional object is to design the top portion of the device in amanner to utilize the forced air currents from the engine fan forcreating a partial vacuum in the region where air enters the device, inorder to intensify the flow and increase the volume of such air.

A still further object is to provide means within the device which exerta gradual centering and equalizing influence on the air directed towardthe intake tube, with a view to maintaining a uniform and steady airfeedinto the same.

A further object is to incorporate a screening element between thereceiving and feeding zones of the device.

A better understanding of the invention may be gained by reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmental side elevation of an engine installation in amotor car showing the air-feed device mounted above the carburetor;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the device;

FIG. 3 is a fragmental top view, partly broken away;

FIG. 4 is a front view; and

FIG. 5 is a view of a modification, partly in section.

Referring specifically to the drawings, denotes the engine of the motorcar, 11 its carburetor, 12 the airintake tube of the latter, and 13 theengine fan.

The air-feed device is preferably circular in form, and consists mainlyof an upper unit 15 and a lower one 16, the material of the units beingsturdy sheet metal.

The unit 15 is of toroidal form and open on the under "ice side, onep0rtion-the frontal one when the device has been installed-beingshallow, as defined at 18, while the rear portion depends with a roundedwall 19 to the extent indicated at 21. The center outer region of theupper unit is closed by a top plate 15a; and a disc 23 forms a bottom,these parts adding to the rigidity of the upper unit.

The lower unit 16 is centered within the upper one, and has afrusto-conical or funnel-shape. The inclination of the funnel wall withrespect to the axis thereof is preferably 45 degrees, as illustrated,although the angle may be varied slightly under different conditions.The upper end of the unit 16 receives a ring 25 with a hub 25a andspider 2512 as a frame for a fine layer of wire netting 27, the ringbeing secured removably to the unit 16 by clips 28 or other suitablemeans. The framed netting makes a stiff and sturdy air screen or filter.

When the device is assembled, the center disc 23 rests on the screen 25,and the latter therefore serves to support the upper unit 15 in theposition of a hood around the lower one. The screen receives adownwardly-pointed cone 32 of solid metalor other suitable materialunderneath the hub 25a; and the sides of the cone form a downwardcontinuation of the inner wall 15b of the upper unit 15 to extend thecurvature thereof to a point.

The plate 15a and disc 23 are joined by a vertical tubular web 33, whichis tapped for threading the upper unit on a center screw 3211 risingfrom the cone 32. When such unit has been screwed down, it fastens thecone to the screen; and the cone therefore becomes joined rigidly to theupper unit. However, a wing nut 35 is applied to the upper end of thescrew in order to counteract tendencies of the upper unit to turn orloosen from vibration.

The lower unit 16 terminates at the bottom with a center rim 16a, whichis of a diameter to slide over the mouth of the intake tube 12, and issplit at 16b for fastening to the tube by a clamp 37.

The present device does not require that the air entering it be warm,although this will improve the operation of the engine. Ordinarily, theair in the engine compartment is quite warm during the travel of themotor car. However, a modified form of the device, shown in FIG. 5, ismore suitable for winter driving. Thus, the funnelshaped unit 16 may bemade with a hollow wall to receive a conduit 38 leading from a box 39attached to the exhaust manifold 10a of the engine 10. A branch 38aleading upwardly into the conduit may be flared at its front end, asshown at 38b, to utilize forced air from the conduit 38 into the wall ofthe unit 16. The latter will have an escape vent 1612 at a remote pointto maintain a circulation of warm air in the wall space.

It will now be apparent that the present device responds to the suctionin the carburetor from a wide environment, with a view to feeding anincreased volume of air to the carburetor. Thus, the wall 19 is wideopen toward the front to receive the direct draft of air from the enginefan; and the sides and rear of such wall pocket the air and deflect itgradually by the curvature of the wall in upward direction. Then the aircurrents rounding the center curves of the unit 15 are joined by aircurrents entering from below at the front and sides, due to the partialvacuum created below the unit 15 by the pressure of the air draft orair-foil from the fan over the curved front and sides of the unit 15.Such front and the body of the unit 16as seen in FIG. 4meet water-sprayand dust that may enter the engine compartment from the front duringinclement or stormy weather, and check such spray and dust from enteringthe carburetor by way of the airfeed device. In the present case asimple structure is used for receiving a relatively large volume of airand directing it into the intake tube of the carburetor. Further, thewide curvature of the top chamber of the upper unit promotes the inwardflow of air with a minimum of surface friction, while the cone 32 andconverging wall of the lower unit train the flowing and cross-currentsof air with a centering and uniform flow into the carburetor. The actionjust described makes for a forced air-feed responsive with both speedand ample volume to augment the regular flow induced by carburetorsuction. As a result, the demand for fuel is lessened considerably, anda marked saving thereof accomplished.

While I have described the invention and its modification in specificterms, various further changes and refinements may be made thereinwithout departing from the principle of the invention, and I reserve theright to employ all such changes and refinements as may fall within thescope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An air feed device for attachment to the air-intake suction tube of acarburetor of an internal combustion engine, comprising in combination,an upper unit connected to a lower unit;

said lower unit comprising an upwardly flared, frustoconical elementhaving upper and lower ends providing air-ingress and air-egressportions,

means on said lower air-egress portion for removably mounting theairfeed device on the air-intake suction tube, a foraminous screenremovably secured transversely over the air-ingress portion of saidfrusto-c-onical element; an inverted conical element depending axiallyfrom the center of said screen and extending substantially to theair-egress portion,

said upper unit comprising a toroidal-shaped element having a lowerportion cut-away to provide an airinlet opening and including an arcuateinner surface originating from below a plane passing through said screenand in spaced relation from the outer periphery of said screen andcontinuing in overlying relation above said screen, said arcuate surfaceconverging axially toward said conical element and substantially merginginto the outer surface of the upper portion of said conical element.

2. An air feed device as claimed in claim 1 in which said frusto-conicalelement includes a hollow peripheral wall forming a chamber, and anair-inlet scoop means communicating with said chamber for receivingheated air whereby air moving through said air feed device is in heatexchange relation with said heated air and is preheated.

References Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5,538 4/ 1848Connelley -410 1,296,853 3/1919 Roots. 1,345,405 7/ 1920 Ricketts.1,373,466 4/ 1921 Tweit 55-490 X 1,430,066 9/ 1922 Evans. 1,638,4518/1927 Nixon 55-463 1,650,569 11/ 1927 Nickle. 1,827,798 10/1931 Murray55-46 X 1,864,201 6/1932 Kegerreis et al. 55-313 1,934,311 11/1933Kegerreis et a1 55-416 X 2,058,932 10/ 1936 Wilson. 2,193,116 3/1940Smith 55-418 X 2,834,419 5/1958 Sebok 55-315 X 2,933,152 4/1960Carpenter et al. 55-410 X FOREIGN PATENTS 109,896 2/ 1940 Australia.

447,061 3/ 1948 Canada.

730,624 5/ 1932 France.

899,943 9/ 1944 France.

307,168 3/ 1929 Great Britain.

510,856 1/1955 Italy.

HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT F. BURNETT, Examiner.

D. TALBERT, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN AIR FEED DEVICE FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE AIR-INTAKE SUCTION TUBE OF ACARBURETOR OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION,AN UPPER UNIT CONNECTED TO A LOWER UNIT; SAID LOWER UNIT COMPRISING ANUPWARDLY FLARED, FRUSTOCONICAL ELEMENT HAVING UPPER AND LOWER ENDSPROVIDING AIR-INGRESS AND AIR-EGRESS PORTIONS, MEANS ON SAID LOWERAIR-EGRESS PORTION FOR REMOVABLY MOUNTING THE AIRFEED DEVICE ON THEAIR-INTAKE SUCTION TUBE, A FORAMINOUS SCREEN REMOVABLY SECUREDTRANSVERSELY OVER THE AIR-INGRESS PORTION OF SAID FRUSTO-CONICALELEMENT; AN INVERTED CONICAL ELEMENT DEPENDING AXIALLY FROM THE CENTEROF SAID SCREEN AND EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE AIR-EGRESS PORTION,SAID UPPER UNIT COMPRISING A TOROIDAL-SHAPED ELEMENT HAVING A LOWERPORTION CUT-AWAY TO PROVIDE AN AIRINLET OPENING AND INCLUDING AN ARCUATEINNER SURFACE ORIGINATING FROM BELOW A PLANE PASSING THROUGH SAID SCREENAND IN SPACED RELATION FROM THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF SAID SCREEN ANDCONTINUING IN OVERLYING RELATION ABOVE SAID SCREEN, SAID ARCUATE SURFACECONVERGING AXIALLY TOWARD SAID CONICAL ELEMENT AND SUBSTANTIALLY MERGINGINTO THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID CONICAL ELEMENT.